Acute renal failure in pregnancy

The changing face of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury from eastern part of India: A hospital-based, prospective, observational study

This study was initiated to look into the etiologies, prevalence, and outcome of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) in a tertiary care hospital. Women admitted with PRAKI from January 2015 to December 2016 were included in the study. All patients were investigated and treated and followed up for the next six months.. For statistical analysis, Chi- square test and analysis of variance were performed to analyze the data. Multivariate analysis was applied to compare the risk of nonrecovery of renal function in different etiologies of PRAKI. During the study period, 81 patients were admitted with PRAKI, of whom 68 (84%) received hemodialysis (HD). A total of 449 patients including all cases of AKI underwent HD from January 2015 to June 2016. The incidence of dialysis requiring PRAKI was 68 out of the 449 patients (15%). Sixty-eight (84%) patients required dialysis support while the most common cause was sepsis (49%), with the second being pregnancy-associated atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (P-aHUS) (17%) followed by obstetric hemorrhages (16%). There was a significant reduction of first-trimester AKI (8.6%) compared to a previous study published from this institute (19.3%). The maternal mortality (25%) and fetal mortality (23.5%) were high. Nearly 39% of the patients had complete recovery of renal function. This study revealed significant PRAKI burden due to a largely preventable cause, puerperal sepsis. Renal survival was poor in P- aHUS. The gaps in the obstetric care may be identified for the improvement of fetomaternal outcome.

Comparison of Standard Conservative Treatment and Early Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Pregnancy-related Acute Kidney Injury: A Single-center Prospective Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PRAKI) is one of the most important cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Some of the reasons behind PRAKI may be due to sepsis, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA), and acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). The timing of initiation of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for better patient outcome is still debatable. We conducted this study to establish whether earlier initiation of RRT in PRAKI improves fetomaternal survival compared to a more conservative approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a prospective study, where patients were screened at a multispecialty tertiary care hospital in north India for 1 year. The patients were divided into two groups: early RRT and standard AKI treatment. The demographic profile and clinical characteristics of the patients in terms of age, parity access to antenatal care, fetal outcome, urine output, hematological and biochemical profiles, RRT, duration of hospitalization, recovery of renal function, and patients survival were recorded.

RESULTS

This prospective study conducted included 13 patients in the early RRT group and 23 patients in the standard group. Considering the fetal outcome, the number of fetal deaths in early RRT group were 14.29%, whereas for the standard group it was 85.71%. In all, 75% of early RRT group and 25% of standard group had normal term delivery. Probability test applied showed they were statistically significant. One maternal mortality was there in the standard group. The indices of maternal outcome in PRAKI patients were found to be statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION

The planning of RRT whether early or late does not make a difference in maternal mortality or morbidity. The fetal outcome is significantly better for patients with early RRT than conservative treatment in PRAKI.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Banerjee A, Mehrotra G. Comparison of Standard Conservative Treatment and Early Initiation of Renal Replacement Therapy in Pregnancy-related Acute Kidney Injury: A Single-center Prospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(8):688-694.

Characteristics and Outcome of Obstetric Acute Kidney Injury in Pakistan: A Single-center Prospective Observational Study

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) continues to be a cause of increased morbidity and mortality in pregnant women. While studies have been conducted on the incidence and etiology of this complication, the outcomes of obstetric AKI have not been extensively investigated. The primary focus of this prospective observational study was to analyze the risk factors, etiologies as well as maternal and fetal outcomes of AKI in pregnant females in Pakistan.

Methods

A total of 56 patients with obstetric AKI were recruited. Patients were followed for a period of three months postpartum. The diagnosis and staging of AKI were based on the classification of the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN).

Results

Fifteen patients were lost to follow-up and were excluded from the study. The mean age of the remaining 41 patients was 26±6 years. Twenty-two (54%) patients were multigravida, and 19 (46%) were primigravida. Twenty (48%) patients did not receive any antenatal care, 13 (31%) were visited by a traditional birth attendant, and only eight (19%) had adequate antenatal care by a gynecologist. Out of 41 patients, seven (17%) presented before 28 weeks, and 34 (83%) patients presented after 28 weeks of gestation. Four (10%) patients were found to be in stage I, four (10%) in stage II, and 33 (80%) patients in stage III AKI during hospitalization. The causes of AKI included sepsis in 32 (78%), intrauterine death in 24 (60%), postpartum hemorrhage in 17 (41%), shock in 15 (36%), pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in seven (17%), and coagulopathy in three (7%) patients. Twenty-eight (68.3%) patients received hemodialysis during the hospital stay. Three-month follow-up showed complete resolution of AKI in 14 (34.2%) patients, partial resolution in seven (17%), end-stage renal disease in 10 (24.4%), and death in 10 (24.4%) patients.

Conclusion

The present study indicates that a vast majority of patients with obstetric AKI require dialysis. Residual renal dysfunction and end-stage renal disease were common at the three-month follow-up. Incidentally, sepsis and intrauterine death were the leading causes in this study population. Increased awareness and appropriate obstetrical care may have a significantly positive impact on decreasing the morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Acute renal cortical necrosis in pregnancy: Clinical course and changing prognosis

Obstetric cortical renal necrosis is a serious complication that can lead to chronic renal failure and the need for chronic dialysis. The aim of renal cortical necrosis therapy is to restore hemodynamic stability, institute early dialytic therapy, and treat the underlying cause of the disease. Most cases of renal cortical necrosis do not recover a normal renal function despite intensive care. We describe the course of a patient who was diagnosed with acute renal cortical necrosis in pregnancy treated with hemodialysis for three years but then she recovered her renal function.

Acute kidney injury during pregnancy and puerperium: a retrospective study in a single center

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is rare in women during pregnancy and puerperium, however, it is related to increased morbidity and mortality rates.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of AKI during pregnancy and puerperium in a Chinese population.

METHODS

In this study, pregnant women discharged from hospital between January 2008 and June 2015 were screened. AKI was defined if the level of serum creatitine >70.72umol/l in pregnant women without chronic kidney disease (CKD). Acute-on-CKD was defined as a 50% increase in the level of serum creatinine vs baseline in patients with pre-existed CKD.

RESULTS

We reported a high incidence (0.81%) of AKI during pregnancy and puerperium. Three hundred and forty-three cases of AKI during pregnancy and puerperium included 21 severe AKI cases and 21 cases with acute-on-CKD. Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage were the most frequent causes of AKI during pregnancy and puerperium. About 17% women with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and 60% women with HELLP syndrome complicated with AKI. The maternal outcome was good except in the setting of amniotic fluid embolism or hemorrhagic shock, whereas the prenatal outcome was relatively poor. Among the 14 death cases, 7 cases received renal replacement therapy. Amniotic fluid embolism and postpartum hemorrhage were the major causes of death in pregnant women with AKI.

CONCLUSION

AKI during pregnancy and puerperium is not as rare as we thought. Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia is the most common cause of AKI during pregnancy and puerperium, however, the outcome of pre-eclampsia-related AKI is good. Amniotic fluid embolism and postpartum hemorrhage are the leading causes of maternal mortality. Severe AKI may predict poor outcome.

A Single-Centre Experience of Obstetric Acute Kidney Injury

BACKGROUND

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a sudden decline in glomerular filtration rate leading to decreased excretion of nitrogenous waste products. It continues to be a common problem in developing countries.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to understand AKI characteristics in pregnancy and identify the factors related to its unfavorable outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

This prospective study was conducted between January 2013 and May 2014. In total 570 women with AKI were referred to the Kidney Institute during this period, out of which 52 patients with obstetrics AKI were included in this study.

RESULTS

Incidence of obstetric AKI was 9.12 %. Their age varied from 19 to 34 years, with an average of 26.2 years. About 42(80.8 %) patients had not received antenatal care. The main causes of AKI were obstetric hemorrhage (38.46 %) and puerperal sepsis (15.38 %). The outcome was favorable with complete renal function recovery in 55.76 % patients. Four (7.69 %) patients became dialysis dependent. Maternal mortality was 32.69 %.

CONCLUSION

Obstetric AKI is a critical situation in developing countries. Lack of antenatal care (80.8 %) is a major contributing factor for obstetric-related complications leading to renal failure. Obstetric hemorrhage (38.46 %) is the most common cause of obstetric AKI. Late referral in 18 (34.61 %), puerperal sepsis in six (33.33 %), obstetric hemorrhage in five (27.77 %) and combined sepsis and hemorrhage in five (27.77 %) are the common contributing factors leading to its unfavorable outcomes as maternal morbidity and mortality. Hence, a multidisciplinary approach is warranted to prevent such an avoidable complication.

Changing picture of acute kidney injury in pregnancy: Study of 259 cases over a period of 33 years

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in pregnancy is declining in developing countries but still remains a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to analyze the changing trends in pregnancy related AKI (PR-AKI) over a period of thirty-three years. Clinical characteristics of PR-AKI with respect to incidence, etiology and fetal and maternal outcomes were compared in three study periods, namely 1982-1991,1992-2002 and 2003-2014. The incidence of PR-AKI decreased to 10.4% in 1992-2002, from 15.2% in 1982-1991, with declining trend continuing in 2003-2014 (4.68%).Postabortal AKI decreased to 1.49% in 2003-2014 from 9.4% in 1982-1991of total AKI cases. The AKI related to puerperal sepsis increased to 1.56% of all AKI cases in 2003-2014 from 1.4% in 1982-1991. Preeclampsia/eclampsia associated AKI decreased from 3.5% of total AKI cases in 1982-1991 to 0.54% in 2003-2014. Pregnancy associated – thrombotic microangiopathy and acute fatty liver of pregnancy were uncommon causes of AKI. Hyperemesis gravidarum associated AKI was not observed in our study. Incidence of renal cortical necrosis (RCN) decreased to 1.4% in 2003-2014 from 17% in 1982-1991.Maternal mortality reduced to 5.79% from initial high value 20% in 1982-1991. The progression of PR-AKI to ESRD decreased to1.4% in 2003-2014 from 6.15% in 1982-1991. The incidence of PR-AKI has decreased over last three decades, mainly due to decrease in incidence of postabortal AKI. Puerperal sepsis and obstetric hemorrhage were the major causes of PR-AKI followed by preeclampsia in late pregnancy. Maternal mortality and incidence and severity of RCN have significantly decreased in PR-AKI. The progression to CKD and ESRD has decreased in women with AKI in pregnancy in recent decade. However, the perinatal mortality did not change throughout study period.

Renal cortical necrosis is a disappearing entity in obstetric acute kidney injury in developing countries: our three decade of experience from India

RATIONAL

Obstetrical complications are the commonest causes of Renal Cortical Necrosis (RCN). However, the overall incidence of RCN in obstetric acute kidney injury in developing countries has been decreasing in recent years.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changing profile of RCN in obstetric AKI over the last three decades.

METHODS

This single center study included patients with biopsy proven renal cortical necrosis over a period of 32 years from 1982 to 2014. The diagnosis of RCN was suspected in patients with prolonged AKI (>4 weeks) with absolute anuria in the setting of hemorrhage, hypotension and sepsis; and was confirmed by renal biopsy. The changing pattern in the incidence, etiology and outcome of RCN in patients with obstetric AKI was compared in the three study periods, namely 1982-1991, 1992-2002 and 2003-2014.

RESULTS

Over a period of 32 years, RCN was diagnosed in 15/259(5.8%) cases of obstetric AKI. Diffuse and patchy cortical necrosis were noted in 8(53.3%) and 7(46.7%) patients, respectively. RCN occurred in 17%(11/65), 2.4%(3/125) and 1.44%(1/69) patients in 1982-1991, 1992-2002 and 2003-2014, respectively. Septic abortion was commonest cause of RCN in the first two study periods but no case was observed in last decade. The decrease in incidence of RCN over the three decades was statistically significant (p-value < 0.001). Maternal mortality decreased to zero in 2003-2014 from 72.7% in 1982-1991.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of RCN in obstetric AKI in developing countries has declined low enough to label it as a disappearing entity.

Maternal, fetal and renal outcomes of pregnancy-associated acute kidney injury requiring dialysis

Pregnancy-associated acute kidney injury (PAKI) is encountered frequently in developing countries. We evaluated the maternal, fetal and renal outcomes in women with PAKI who needed at least one session of dialysis. Of the total of 98 cases (mean age 28.85 ± 5.13 years; mean parity 2.65 ± 1.28) of PAKI, the most common cause of PAKI was postabortal sepsis. Eighteen patients died; those with oligoanuria, sepsis and central nervous system (CNS) involvement were at greater risk of mortality. The relative risk (RR) of neonatal mortality was lower after with full-term delivery (RR: 0.17, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.96, P = 0.02) compared to preterm delivery. Of the 80 surviving patients, 60 (75%) patients achieved complete recovery of renal function at the end of 3 months; and of the remaining 14 had presumed (n = 4) or, biopsy-proven (n = 10) acute patchy cortical necrosis. The RR of non-recovery of renal function was high (RR: 24.7, 95% CI: 3.4- 179.5) in patients who did not recover at 6 weeks. Of the 14 patients with cortical necrosis, 3 (21.42%) became independent of dialysis at 6 months. PAKI patients should be watched for dialysis independency for 6 months.

Pregnancy-related Acute Kidney Injury and a Review of the Literature in China

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence, causes and prognosis of pregnancy-related acute kidney injury (PR-AKI) in Chinese women.

METHODS

From July 2004 to February 2013, 18,589 women of Han ethnicity who attended the Obstetrics and Nephrology Department of our tertiary hospital were investigated, and individuals meeting the PR-AKI criteria were included in the analysis. The WanFang, Chinese Science Journal, Chinese Knowledge, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library databases were searched, and literature describing PR-AKI diagnoses with Chinese women as study subjects and a sample size of ≥5 were included.

RESULTS

The incidence of PR-AKI was 0.1183% (22/18,589). Hemorrhagic shock (31.8%) and pre-eclampsia (severe, 18.2%) were the two most common causes of PR-AKI. Twelve women recovered completely, six women displayed persistent proteinuria and four women had an increased serum creatinine level at discharge. There were no cases of death. Twenty women demonstrated adverse pregnancy outcomes (90.9%), including eight cases of stillbirth (36.4%). In our literature review, 29 of 4,076 articles were included, and the incidence of PR-AKI in China was found to range from 0.02% to 1.84%. Pregnancy hypertension (49.2%) and postpartum hemorrhage (13.8%) were found to be the most common causes of PR-AKI in China. The prognosis improved in 81.9% of the patients, the renal function deteriorated in 4.5% of the patients and 13.6% of the patients died. The rate of stillbirth was 27.0%.

CONCLUSION

The maternal condition after active treatment was good, whereas the pregnancy outcomes were generally poor. Although the incidence of PR-AKI was relatively low, this finding is noteworthy. Further studies are thus warranted to improve maternal-fetal outcomes.

Acute renal failure in pregnancy: Tertiary centre experience from north Indian population

Background:

Obstetrical acute renal failure ARF is now a rare entity in the developed countries but still a common occurrence in developing countries. Delay in the diagnosis and late referral is associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the contributing factors responsible for pregnancy-related acute kidney failure, its relation with mortality and morbidity and outcome measures in these patients.

Materials and Methods:

Total 520 patients of ARF of various aetiology were admitted, out of these 60 (11.5%) patients were pregnancy-related acute renal failure.

Results:

ARF Acute renal failure occurred in 32 (53.3%) cases in early part of their pregnancy, whereas in 28 (46.7%) cases in later of the pregnancy. Thirty-two (53.3%) patients had not received any antenatal visit, and had home delivery, 20 (33.4%) patients had delivered in hospitals but without antenatal care and eight (13.3%) patients received antenatal care and delivered in the hospitals. Anuria was observed in 23 (38.3%) cases, remaining 37 (61.7%) cases presented with oliguria. Septicemia was present in 25 (41.7%), hypertensive disorder of pregnancy in 20 (33.3%), haemorrhage in eight (13.3%), abortion in 5 (8.3%), haemolysis elevated liver enzymes low platelets counts (HELLP) syndrome in one (1.67%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation in one (1.67%). (61.7%) patients were not dialyzed, 33 (55%) recovered normal renal function with conservative treatment. Complete recovery was observed in 45 (75%) patients, five (8.4%) patients developed irreversible renal failure. Maternal mortality was nine (15%) and foetal loss was 25 (41.7%).

Conclusion:

Pregnancy-related ARF is usually a consequence of obstetric complications; it carries very high morbidity and mortality.

Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury: experience of the nephrology unit at the university hospital of fez, morocco

Introduction. Acute kidney injury (PRAKI) continues to be common in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to study AKI characteristics in pregnancy and identify the factors related to the unfavorable evolution. Methods. This prospective study was conducted in the University Hospital Hassan II of Fez, Morocco, from February 01, 2011 to January 31, 2012. All patients presenting PRAKI were included. Results. 37 cases of PRAKI were listed. Their ages varied from 20 to 41 years old, with an average of 29.03 ± 6.3 years and an average parity of 1.83. High blood pressure was the most common symptom (55.6%). Thirty-nine percent were oliguric. PRAKI occurred during the 3rd trimester in 66.6% of the cases and 25% of the cases in the postpartum. Hemodialysis was necessary in 16.2% of cases. The main causes were preeclampsia, hemorrhagic shocks, and functional, respectively, in 66.6%, 25%, and 8.3% of the cases. The outcome was favorable, with a complete renal function recovery for 28 patients. Poor prognosis was related to two factors: age over 38 years and advanced stage of AKI according to RIFLE classification. Conclusion. Prevention of PRAKI requires an improvement of the sanitary infrastructures with the implementation of an obligatory prenatal consultation.

A Case of Hyperemesis Gravidarum due to Gastric Cancer Masquerading as Preeclampsia

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms frequently seen in normal pregnancy. We report a patient with gastric carcinoma who presented with severe hyperemesis gravidarum that led to extreme volume depletion, hypertension, proteinuria, and acute renal failure. A 35-year-old woman (para 2-1-0-1) with a prenatal course significant for persistent nausea, vomiting, and poor weight gain presented at 36 weeks' gestation with elevated blood pressure (157/114 mm Hg), proteinuria (4+), hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and severe intravascular volume contraction. A presumptive diagnosis of severe preeclampsia was made, the patient was given intravenous MgSO4, and cesarean delivery was accomplished uneventfully. When significant emesis persisted in the postoperative period, esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an antral/prepyloric mass with a biopsy-proven poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of hyperemesis gravidarum with gastric cancer masquerading as preeclampsia.

Acute kidney injury complicating septic unsafe abortion: clinical course and treatment outcomes of 44 cases

AIM

 The aim of this study was to present the clinical course and treatment outcomes of patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) after septic unsafe abortion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical records of patients with AKI after septic unsafe abortion admitted at Khon Kaen Hospital between January 2003 and December 2009 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients with an average age of 24.3 years were included and 25% were teenage girls. The most common method of induced abortion was transvaginal chemical injection (81.8%). One patient had a hysterectomy due to severe peritonitis and sepsis that was not responsive to medical treatment. AKI developed on day 4.5 ± 3.6 with the range of onset 1-14 days after induced abortion. Oliguric AKI was present in 70.4% of patients with the mean duration of oliguria of 7.4 ± 5 days. Seventeen patients required dialysis. The mortality rate was 9%. The average duration of recovery from AKI was 24.8 ± 16.6 days.

CONCLUSIONS

  Conservative treatment of AKI-related septic unsafe abortion was dialysis without hysterectomy. The treatment results were minimal morbidity and mortality. Conservative management may be a better alternative to hysterectomy for the treatment of septic unsafe abortion with AKI. However the current study was a retrospective study, and we were not able to obtain certain follow-up data, such as fertility outcomes after recovery. Therefore, further study of these issues should be considered.

Pregnancy related acute kidney injury: A single center experience from the Kashmir Valley

All patients admitted with pregnancy related acute renal failure (PRAKI) from June 2005 to May 2007 were studied with respect to etiology, clinical features, and outcome of PRAKI. Of 569 cases of acute kidney injury (AKI), 40 (7.02%) cases were related to gestational problems; the age of the patients ranged from 15 to 45 years. Septic abortion was the most common cause of PRAKI, accounting for 20 (50%) cases of which 15 (75%) cases occurred in the first and five (25%) in the second trimester. Other causes were antepartum hemorrhage: six cases (15%), toxemia of pregnancy: six cases (15%), acute gastroenteritis: three cases (7.5%), postpartum hemorrhage: two cases (5%), acute pyelonephritis: two cases (5%), and postpartum, acute kidney injury: one case (2.5%). Dialysis was needed in 60% of the cases and mortality was observed in 20% of the cases. PRAKI continues to be a major concern in our society, causing a high maternal mortality. Septic abortion which has virtually disappeared from developed countries, continues to be a major cause of PRAKI in our society. Hence, there is a need to halt the practice of illegal abortions and improve antenatal care.

Pregnancy-related acute renal failure: A single-center experience

Pregnancy-related acute renal failure (ARF) is a common occurrence and is associated with substantial maternal and fetal mortality. It also bears a high risk of bilateral renal cortical necrosis. We conducted this study to evaluate the contributing factors and to assess the frequency of cortical necrosis. In this prospective study, of the 772 patients with ARF admitted at our institute between January 2004 and May 2006, 70 had ARF associated with pregnancy complications. ARF was diagnosed by documenting oliguria (urine output <400 ml/d) or mounting azotemia in the presence of normal urine output. (serum creatinine >2 mg%). Renal biopsy was performed if a patient was found to be oliguric or required dialysis support at the end of three weeks. The incidence of pregnancy-related ARF was 9.06%. Approximately 20% cases occurred due to postabortal complications in early pregnancy and 80% following complications in late pregnancy. Puerperal sepsis was the most common etiological factor in 61.42% of the patients. Preeclampsia accounted for 28.57% of ARF. Two-thirds of patients recovered with dialysis and supportive care. The incidence of biopsy proven renal cortical necrosis was 14.8% (10 of the 70 patients). The incidence of renal cortical necrosis was 28.57% in the early pregnancy group and 10.71% in the late pregnancy group. Postabortal sepsis was the most common precipitating event for renal cortical necrosis. Maternal mortality was 18.57%. Sepsis accounted for a majority of deaths (61.53%). Pregnancy-related ARF is common in western India. Puerperal sepsis is the most frequent etiological factor. Renal cortical necrosis is common and postabortal sepsis was the most common precipitating event. Sepsis accounted for a majority of maternal mortality.

Acute renal failure in pregnancy in a developing country: twenty years of experience

Acute renal failure (ARF) has become a rare complication of pregnancy in developed countries. The aim of this study was to describe changing trends in pregnancy-related acute renal failure (PR-ARF) in two successive periods; 1982-1991 and 1992-2002. From July 1982 to December 2002, 190 cases of PR-ARF were observed in Eastern India (11.6% of total number of ARF needing dialysis). Obstetrical complications were causative factors for ARF in 15% (65/426) and 10% (125/1201) of patients in the two periods, respectively. The incidence of PR-ARF fell from 15% in 1982-1991 to 10% in 1992-2002, with respect to the total number of acute renal failure cases. Post-abortal ARF showed a declining trend, 9% in the 1980s to 7% in the 2000s, of the total number of ARF cases. Preeclampsia-eclampsia was the cause of obstetrical ARF in 23% (1982-1991) and 14.4% (1992-2002) of cases in these two periods. The percentage of total ARF due to eclampsia declined from 3.5% during the period 1982-1991 to 1.4% in 1992-2002. Puerperal sepsis contributed to 0.8% of total ARF in recent years, compared to 2.4% in the earlier period. The incidence of cortical necrosis decreased significantly (p < 0.001) from 17% in 1982-1991 to 2.4% in the 2000s. The maternal mortality reduced to 6.4% in 1992-2002 from initial high mortality of 20% in the period of 1982-1991.

CONCLUSION

PR-ARF which remained high in the initial period has decreased in recent years. This is associated with a declining trend in

Acute renal failure in pregnancy

OBJECTIVES

To provide an evidence-based, up-to-date review of the literature regarding the assessment and management of acute renal failure that may affect women during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

DESIGN

A review of the current literature was performed.

RESULTS

Acute renal failure is a rare complication of pregnancy but is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management requires knowledge of the renal physiologic changes occurring in pregnancy and the relevant diagnoses, both pregnancy-specific and those that may coincidentally occur with pregnancy. In addition, fetal effects must be taken into consideration.

CONCLUSIONS

Ideal care for women with acute renal failure in pregnancy or postpartum requires a multidisciplinary approach that may include maternal-fetal medicine, critical care medicine, nephrology, and neonatology specialists.

Lysosomal enzymes in preeclamptic women in northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The incidence of preeclampsia is high in northern Nigeria, as it is in many other developing countries, and preeclampsia is associated with significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We inquired if proteinuria or hypertension alone could account for the altered concentrations of urinary lysosomal hydrolases that have been reported in preeclamptic women and pregnant women without preeclampsia.

METHODS

The activities of urinary beta-hexosaminidase and beta-galactosidase were determined fluorometrically in pregnant women assigned to one of four groups: Group I: 41 preeclamptic women; Group II: 31 hypertensive aproteinuric women; Group III: 44 normotensive proteinuric women; and Group IV: 52 healthy pregnant women (controls).

RESULTS

The urinary beta-hexosaminidase concentrations were decreased in the preeclamptic women (P<0.005) and proteinuric women (P<0.001) when compared to the healthy pregnant controls. There was no significant difference in beta-hexosaminidase concentrations between the hypertensive women and the healthy pregnant controls. The urinary beta-galactosidase concentrations for preeclamptic, hypertensive, and proteinuric women did not differ significantly versus healthy pregnant controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced urinary excretion of beta-hexosaminidase in preeclamptic women is associated with proteinuria, but not hypertension. Measuring urinary concentrations of lysosomal hydrolases alone or in conjunction with urinary protein concentrations is not likely to be useful in predicting or monitoring the clinical course of preeclampsia; however, it might prove important in gaining a more complete understanding of the pathogenesis of renal tubular epithelial cell injury and proteinuria that occurs in preeclampsia.

Pathogenesis of acute renal failure associated with the HELLP syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

Acute renal failure is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. We describe a 31-year-old woman with haemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets (HELLP syndrome) who developed acute peripartum renal failure. Renal biopsy performed 2 weeks later because of persistent oliguria revealed thrombotic microangiopathy and acute tubular necrosis. This case highlights the probable pathogenesis of acute renal failure in HELLP patients and explains why it resolves in the majority of cases. A review of the literature that describes renal histology in HELLP patients is presented.

Management of hypertension in pregnancy

Hypertension in pregnancy is generally defined as either an absolute BP > 140/90 mm Hg or a rise in systolic BP > or = 25 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP > or = 15 mm Hg from pre-conception or 1st trimester BP. Hypertension in pregnancy is classified as: a) Chronic--essential or secondary hypertension, b) De novo--pre-eclampsia or gestational hypertension, and c) Pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension. Pre-eclampsia is a multisystem disorder in which hypertension is but one sign. The major maternal abnormalities occur in kidneys, liver, brain and coagulation systems. Impaired uteroplacental blood flow causes fetal growth retardation or intrauterine death. There is general agreement that BP > or = 170/110 mm Hg should be lowered rapidly to protect the mother against risk of stroke or eclampsia. There is dispute concerning the level at which lesser degrees of hypertension should be treated, and lowering BP is treating only one aspect of pre-eclampsia. Delivery remains the definitive management.

Changes in frequency and etiology of acute renal failure in pregnancy (1980-1997)

In recent years, the incidence of acute renal failure (ARF) in pregnancy has decreased in developed countries. This cause of this decline has been reported to be liberalized abortion laws and improved prenatal care. The aim of this study was to determine if the incidence and etiology of ARE in pregnancy in our population had undergone similar changes. Between January 1, 1980 and January 1 1997 the number of the patients with ARF was 487. In 74 (15%) of these patients, the etiology of ARF was associated with pregnancy. The frequency of ARF in pregnancy was 17.4% between January 1980 and August 1985, 15.4% between September 1985 and November 1989, 13.5% between December 1989 and January 1997. The differences between the frequencies were not statistically significant (p > 0.5). In the present series, the various disorders leading to ARF in pregnancy were abortion (30%), HELP syndrome and pre-eclampsia (14%), pre-eclampsia or eclampsia (12%), postpartum hemorrhage (15%), fetal death (12%), abruption placentae (6%) and placentae previa (1%).

Is pregnancy-related acute renal failure a disappearing clinical entity?

The actual disappearance of pregnancy-related acute renal failure (PR-ARF) is a common "feeling" for nephrologists. The aim of this study was to exactly quantify this event by evaluating epidemiology and the extent of renal damage in PR-ARF. From 1958 to 1994, 84 cases of PR-ARF were observed (5.8% of total number of ARF needing dialysis). In four successive periods (1956-67, 1968-77, 1978-87, 1988-94), the incidence of PR-ARF fell from 43% to 0.5% with respect to the total number of ARF, and from 1/3000 to 1/18,000 with respect to the total number of pregnancies. Maternal mortality in the past was high (31%), but no cases of death in the last period were seen. Irreversible renal damage was recorded in 11.1% of PR-ARF, and, in particular, in 18.7% of cases of preeclampsia-eclampsia (PE-E). The worst maternal and renal prognosis occurred in PE-E that was complicated by abruptio placentae (AP). Neither disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, nor prostacyclin imbalance were significantly related to the severity of renal damage. Heparin therapy did not modify DIC evolution and renal outcome and was aggravated by severe hemorragic complications. Support therapy with plasma infusion, antithrombin III, and antiplatelet agents seems to be helpful. In conclusion, PR-ARF has become a rare occurrence and, in our experience, no cases of death or irreversible renal damage were observed in the last 7 years. The most important reasons for this favorable evolution seem to be an improved medical care and more effective measures of careful prevention, mainly regarding tempestive delivery.